If I’m on the home screen and I want to search across apps (a core feature) I’m routed through the TV app, which will try to make me buy new services or pay fees to watch content I already have access to on Netflix.
It will also mix in banners for shows/movies I don’t have access to without paying additional fees, and doesn’t allow a way to disable this.
This is exactly the problem people are having with the new Google TV app.
Don’t want Google ads? Cool, uninstall the Google TV launcher and remove massive amounts of functionality you already paid for (including universal search) and crack on with a terrible experience.
Don’t want Apple ads? Cool, move the TV app to your junk folder and remove massive amounts of functionality you already paid for (including universal search) and crack on with a terrible experience.
Even Prime video has a free to me button.
The ATV is not a subsidised device, this is shameless gouging and Apple again get a pass on here that other companies are (rightly) dragged for just because they’re Apple.
Others in this thread have already spoken about getting ads for Peacock, Disney+ and Hulu even though they don’t have the services installed, let alone in the app bar.
Today I tried to continue watching a show I’ve been watching for a month and Apple wanted me to pay money just because it’s on Netflix. No mention whatsoever that it’s on Netflix or even a banner to read “content from other services may not appear in this app”.
Sure I can check Netflix separately, but that means that if I want to use the most popular streaming service in the world on this device reliably then I no longer have a universal search feature.
It’s crazy that the experience is this bad and no-one is willing to point it out.
Services are advertised regardless of what’s in the App Bar.
Shows are advertised on services that aren’t even installed, even if they’re on Netflix and Netflix is installed.
Movies that are on Netflix are shown as iTunes rentals for additional fees, with no message to the user that they can watch it on Netflix.
I asked if you know of a toggle to switch these of, I’ve been unable to find anything to suggest such an option exists either on my device or via Google.
I like a lot of what they make, but tvOS is just bad in it’s current state.
Why am I getting ads for services I don’t have, and why can’t I switch them off if I want to?